Following our previous episode on the landscape of medical aid in dying laws in California and across the U.S, we now have great news to share: MAID has the potential to pass in two separate states, New York and Illinois.

Our guest, Mandi Zucker, executive director of End-of-Life Choices NY, joins us to talk about what this bill could mean for patients, the current political landscape (Zohran Mamdani’s support of MAID, Gov. Kathy Hocul’s decision), and her background in grief support and end of life care.

Tune in as we explore this pivotal moment for dignity and choice.

This conversation was recorded just one day before the 3rd anniversary of his passing. His legacy continues to inspire our work. 

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Remembering Andrew And Big News

 1:16 Meet Mandi Zucker And Media Advocacy

 3:44 From Schools To Hospice To Purpose

 7:45 Why Aid In Dying Found A Champion

 12:45 The New York Bill’s Path And Safeguards

 18:40 Politics, Choice, And Misconceptions

 24:40 Access, Residency, And Equity

 29:20 Faith, Opposition, And Public Support

 33:20 U.S. Versus Canada: Slippery Slope Myths

 38:00 Grief Work With Children And Families

 44:00 Language, Culture, And Honest Conversations

 49:20 Implementing The Law And Infrastructure

 55:20 Staying Motivated And Community Strength

 1:05:00 Final Appeal And Ways To Help

Jess Pezley, senior staff attorney at Compassion and Choices, explores the current legal landscape surrounding medical aid in dying legislation in California and across the United States, addressing challenges, misconceptions, and its connection to broader healthcare rights.

• Medical aid in dying laws face ongoing legal challenges from religious organizations 
• A key challenge through United Spinal vs California claims the law discriminates against those with disabilities
• California's MAID model represents the ideal balance with robust safeguards against the more expansive Canadian approach
• The Supreme Court's Dobbs decision creates potential threats to healthcare autonomy broadly
• Approximately 37% of Californians who receive MAID prescriptions never use them, demonstrating the value of the option itself
• Most people accessing MAID are simultaneously receiving hospice care (94%)
• Legal challenges to abortion access and gender-affirming care create precedents that could impact end-of-life options
• Having end-of-life conversations and creating advance directives remains critically important for everyone
• The tight-knit community formed around Andrew's advocacy continues his legacy of compassion and determination

CHAPTERS:

 0:20 Introduction

 2:16 Jess Pezley's Path to Compassion and Choices

 6:45 Working with Andrew

 30:15 Disability and Bodily Autonomy

 55:05 Canada vs. California MAID Models

 1:01:30 Personal Impact of Working with the Dying

 1:05:05 Favorite Pizza

 1:08:00 Slippery Slope Argument

 1:14:00 Andrew's Legacy and Strength

We are back with an unreleased gem from the podcast archives. Join us as Serene Meshel-Dillman, director of the upcoming docu-series "Take Me Out Feet First" about Medical Aid in Dying, discusses the project. Andrew is featured in one of the episodes in the docu-series! 

"Take Me Out Feet First" will soon be available on Amazon SVOD.

This episode is enriched with Andrew’s unique insights. Enjoy a lively conversation between Serene and Andrew as they discuss the inspirations behind the documentary, the process of securing the rights to the song “Blackbird” from Paul McCartney, the impact of social media on people with cancer, the podcast’s theme music, and much more.

The episode concludes with a beautiful rendition of the Beatles' "Blackbird" performed by Sam Wood.

Recording Date: May 6, 2022

Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

Andrew's parents join the Death with Dignity Podcast. Steve and Suzy Flack open a window into what it was like the day Andrew ingested the medical aid in dying medication, what the last 8 months have been like, the California/Chicago memorials, and speak openly and honestly about what it is like to be in their position today.

Recorded on July 16, 2023

Learn more about the podcast & follow Andrew's story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

Andrew’s final transmission. It consists of three separate recordings he recorded on three different days. 

Andrew is joined by Suzy and Hasban to talk about his condition, how he's thinking about end-of-life options, psychedelics, life lessons, and friends/family. He also answers some questions from the listeners.

The outro (the Desiderata) was recorded around 20 minutes before he ingested the medicine. If you want a copy of the outro only, please contact us through the website.

The thumbnail for this image was taken around the time Andrew passed. This was Andrew's final view of the world out of his bedroom window. He was surrounded by family and friends that loved him dearly.

Order of recordings:

1. October 6th - The Episode
2. November 14th - Intro to the episode
3. November 16th - Desiderata

Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

Contact Us:
https://www.deathwithdignitypodcast.com/contact-us/

Show notes:
Recorded on Aug, 17 2022.

This is one of the two episodes that were released after Andrew’s passing. 

We originally planned on releasing this episode before his passing and the final transmission (episode 21) after his passing. But, things didn’t work out that way. 

It didn’t feel right to release them one by one so we decided to release them simultaneously. 

About the guest:

Ginger Fairchild is a registered veterinary nurse and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is the widow of Sargeant Matt Fairchild who chose MAID after enduring nearly a decade of chemotherapy, radiation, hospitalizations, and surgeries in connection to his skin cancer diagnosis, which subsequently spread to his brain, bones, and lymph nodes.

Andrew and Ginger have a really insightful conversation about her and Matt’s journey, MAID, how to talk to people who are sick, and much more.

Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter)

Contact Us:
https://www.deathwithdignitypodcast.com/contact-us/

Author Joanne Tubbs Kelly joins us to discuss her book titled, “Walking Him Home:  Helping My Husband Die with Dignity” (Amazon Link).

Joanne sits down with us to discuss her book and shares her experiences supporting her late husband as they navigate life with a terminal illness.

She discusses the writing and publishing process, the ups and downs involved with being a caregiver, and the idea that we all have the ability to experience a dignified death. 

Joanne’s writing is truthful, funny, vulnerable,  empowering, and emotional — but most of all- filled with kindness, compassion, and love.  Thank you Joanne, for sharing your and Alan’s experiences with us.

We encourage our listeners to grab a copy of her touching book!

Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter),  dwd_podcast (Instagram)

Nurse Penny has been comforting and supporting people during their end-of-life experiences for many years.  She also has a substantial social media following on TikTok and Instagram.  Nurse Penny uses social media to educate people about Hospice Services, Advanced Directives and wills, and death anxiety and how it impacts our lives.  We encourage you to follow Penny on social media. We thank her for her advocacy and enlightenment on the subject of death and dying.

Nurse Penny Instagram
Nurse Penny TikTok

Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter),  dwd_podcast (Instagram)

Spiritual care is an integral component of the healing process, and in this episode, Allison Kestenbaum and Rev. Katie Whipple-Hatelvig join us from the UCSD Chaplain and Spiritual Care Services.  These two individuals provide compassion and spiritual support to both patients and families, offering a variety of services including crisis intervention, spiritual support, support in decision making and ethical dilemmas, providing prayers, blessings, rituals, and end-of-life support.  Specifically, learn how Allison and Katie wander along the delicate lines of faith and beliefs while offering guidance during one’s End of Life Experience, including paths such as Medical Aid in Dying.

Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter).

TW // Eating Disorders

Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani is an internist, who specializes in eating disorders. She is from Northern California, but moved to Boston for School. Once she finished her schooling, she moved to Colorado. Dr. Gaudiani now runs the nations top medical stabilization program for adults with eating disorders. She recently made news when she authored a study in which she prescribed medical aid in dying medication to three of her patients. 

In this episode, we dive into the difficult world of eating disorders. 

Link to the paper —> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35168671/

Learn more about the podcast & follow our story - deathwithdignitypodcast.com // @DWDPodcast2021 (Twitter).